Top 10 Train Rides in the World

The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), the world’s largest organization of professional travel journalists and photographers, polled its members to come up with the “Top 10” most exciting and scenic train rides in the world. SATW Past President Bea Broda said, “For many travelers, Edna St. Vincent Millay said it perfectly when she wrote: ‘My heart is warm with the friends I make, And better friends I’ll not be knowing; Yet there isn’t a train I wouldn’t take, No matter where it’s going.’” “Train travel,” according to Broda, “is romantic, scenic, a wonderful way to meet and mix with locals and equally important today, a very green way to experience a country.” Listed in order of votes with comments from SATW writers are the world’s “Top 10” train rides: The Rocky Mountaineer(www.rockymountaineer.com) offers spectacular two-day journeys through the Canadian Rocky Mountains from Vancouver to Banff or Jasper. “The Rocky Mountaineer is humbling travel – both for the monumental landscapes it slices through and the appreciation of the workers who risked – and sometimes gave – their lives to build it.” Betsa Marsh, freelance travel writer The Glacier Express(www.glacierexpress.ch) is the famous Swiss mountain railway from St. Moritz to Zermatt, a 7.5 hour railway journey that crosses 291 bridges and burrows through 91 tunnels. “Take the Glacier Express in winter – you will pass by skiers, people playing golf in the snow and spectacular alpine settings.” James O’Reilly, publisher, Traveler’s Tales Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad(www.durangotrain.com) winds through rugged canyons in the remote wilderness of Colorado’s two-million-acre San Juan National Forest. The narrow-gauge train is pulled by a coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive along the same tracks traveled over a century ago by miners, cowboys and settlers of the Old West. The Bernina Express(www.rhb.ch) from Chur, Switzerland to Tirano, Italy, makes the highest rail crossing of the Alps, passing from icy glaciers to palm-shaded piazzas in just a few hours. It crosses 196 bridges and passes through 55 tunnels, while winding around countless spectacular switchbacks. You can take the scenic stretch from St. Moritz to Tirano for lunch in Italy in just three hours. “The Bernina Express takes your breath away before dropping you off in the marvelous little Italian village of Tirano.” Stan Wawer, travel writer/editor. The train to Machu Picchu (from a video by SATW Past President Bea Broda) Peru Rail, Cusco to Machu Picchu(www.perurail.com),carries passengers on a spectacular journey through the high Andes. There are three levels of service, from backpacker trains to Vistadome cars to the luxurious blue and gold Hiram Bingham train, named in honor of Hiram Bingham, the explorer who discovered the Inca citadel in 1911. The train passes by lush green fields and colorful villages in the foothills of the Andes and climbs along the Urubamba River through a dramatic canyon before reaching Machu Picchu. “On the train from Cusco to the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu, it’s easy to feel you’re traveling into a mystery as you roll past secluded farms, squeeze between rugged mountains and, on my trip, become enveloped by low brooding dark clouds.” Susan Farlow, freelance travel writer The Urubamba Canyon seen from the train from Cuzco to Machu Picchu, Peru (photo: SATW Active Member J.S. Fletcher) The Coastal Classic Train on the Alaska Railroad (www.akrr.com) winds through the wilderness between Anchorage and Seward. Massive glaciers are visible from the track as the train climbs into the Kenai Mountains and travels to the shores of Resurrection Bay for convenient connection to Kenai Fjords National Park, offering whale watching, sea kayaking, tidewater glacier viewing, fishing, and dog sled rides. The Royal Scotsman (www.royalscotsman.com) rolls through the ever-changing landscapes of sweeping glens, towering peaks and mirror-calm lochs as the train weaves through wild countryside and along virgin stretches of coast on two to seven night journeys in the Scottish highlands. “Ancient castles. Misty moors. Stark cliffs, covered in black shadows from the clouds. Lochs. Chimneys sticking out of thatched roofs. And Rob Roy and Braveheart waiting beyond every turn.” Steve Winston, freelance travel writer The Whistler Mountaineer(www.whistlermountaineer.com) in Canada is a three-hour ride along the magnificent coast of British Columbia, from Vancouver to Whistler, famous for its views of cities, old-growth forests, deep valleys, snowcapped peaks and seascapes. Mexico’s El Chepe (www.chepe.com.mx) ventures into the imposing landscapes of the Sierra Tarahumara and into Mexico’s famed Copper Canyon, passing through 87 tunnels and crossing 37 bridges. The Copper Canyon is four times the size of the Grand Canyon – and deeper. “Mexico’s Chepe train from Los Mochis to Copper Canyon has it all: tall bridges crossing rivers, dozens of tunnels, a winding track that climbs high out of the canyon and, waiting for you at the end, the fascinating indigenous Tarahumara people.” Eric Lindberg, freelance travel writer/photographer El Chepe crosses the countryside of the state of Chihuahua / El Chepe (línea ferroviaria Chihuahua-Pacífico) atraviesa el campo del estado de Chihuahua rumbo a las Barrancas del Cobre. (photo: SATW Active Member Sally Moore) The Flam Railway (www.norwaynutshell.com) is regarded as one of the highlights of the "Norway in a Nutshell" tour. The 20-km-long train journey from the mountain station of Myrdal down to Flam, beside a fjord, takes 55 minutes. On the journey, you have views of some of the most magnificent mountain scenery in Norway with a panorama of tall mountains and cascading waterfalls. The train moves slowly or stops at the best views. “The Norway in a Nutshell ride fulfills its clever name, and stopping to let passengers take pictures is a real plus.” Bob Jenkins, freelance travel writer The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) is a non-profit professional association that works to promote responsible travel journalism and to provide professional support for its members, including travel journalists, photographers, editors, electronic media, film lecturers, television and film producers, and public relations representatives from the travel industry. For more information on the Society of American Travel Writers, visitwww.satw.org. To learn more about how to improve your travel photos, ENROLL NOW for the SATW Digital Photography Institute in July. SATW home page: www.satw.org

Recovery Predicted

Tourism Minister Rodolfo Elizondo is forecasting that 23 million tourists will visit Mexico during 2010 and that they will spend $13 billion while here.

Although travel from the United States was down 8.6 percent during the first 10 months of this year, the minister noted that domestic travel helped keep things afloat. It had been estimated that hospitality industry earnings would fall by $2.3 billion, but this in the end amounted to only $1.4 billion.

Indications of recovery were seen in Ixtapa, Guadalajara, Monterrey and Veracruz (the last three more business travel destinations), where occupancy was higher than last year while Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Los Cabos report occupancy levels at the same level as in 2008, which, at least, is not a drop.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member, Society of American Travel Writers

Terranea: Taste of the Amalfi Coast

Story & Photos By Stan Wawer

Terranea Resort occupies a dramatic and historic piece of Rancho Palos Verdes property. Once the site of Marineland of the Pacific, which closed in 1986, Terranea reminds me of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, with its outreaching cliffs and coves. The five-star resort, which opened in June, cohabits with the natural and typical vegetation of the Pacific Ocean.

The name Terranea was created to reflect the Mediterranean nature of the resort’s coastal setting. Breathtaking views, dramatic gardens and indulgent amenities define this classic Southern California Resort. Everything about Terranea says luxury. It has a world-class spa, fitness center, a challenging nine-hole par three golf course (I played the course in 45 minutes on an early Sunday morning in November) and excellent dining.

Terranea is pricey but it delivers the goods. Food and beverage could break the average person’s weekly budget in the first hour. It cost me $8 for a Heineken beer. Room rates start at $320 a night. All rooms offer private balconies and the majority of the rooms offer views of the Pacific Ocean. I witnessed spectacular sunrises. Ninety percent of the resort is oceanfront or ocean view.

The Gabrielino-Tongva Tribe originally inhabited Rancho Palos Verdes (canyon of green trees). The land eventually passed to a consortium of New York investors led by Frank A. Vanderlip, by way of Don Dolores Sepulveda. Considered the founding father of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Vanderlip built the first homes on the land in 1924 with a plan for a magnificent Italian village that would hug the coast.

Most of you over the age of 30 remember the site as Marineland, one of Southern California’s most familiar tourist attractions. Marineland opened in 1954. When is opened, it was the world’s largest oceanarium. Opening one year before Disneyland, many considered it California’s first theme park. It was best known for its performing Orcas (killer whales). Think Shamu and SeaWorld.

Lowe Enterprises became involved with the 102-acre property in 1998, which began a 10-year odyssey, finally opening in June 2009 as Terranea Resort. The city of Rancho Palos Verdes approved the Terranea Resort project in the summer of 2002, but groundbreaking didn’t take place until March of 2007.

The 582-room resort offers a 360-room hotel with 30 suites, 20 bungalows, 50 ocean-view casitas and 32 villas. The bungalows and casitas lock off to provide multiple room configurations. The villas are 1,800 to 2,800 square feet, with two or three bedrooms, two-car garage and a gourmet kitchen. They can be rented or purchased. All the artwork is provided by artists from Portuguese Bend where the Palos Verdes Art Center was founded in 1931 as a cultural arm of the planned community of Palos Verdes Estates.

Interestingly enough, many Peninsula residents take advantage of Terranea’s incredible spa, golf course and fine dining.

The spa is a 50,000-square-foot sanctuary and retreat. The state-of-the-art complex is nestled in a secluded setting with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island (on a clear day). One morning, I spotted two cruise ships leaving Catalina. The spa offers customized wellness treatments that welcome both resort and day visitors.

The Spa at Terranea includes 25 treatment rooms, 25,000 square feet of outdoor space with ocean view terraces, hot tubs and spa pool, a spa café, manicure and pedicure stations, hare and beauty salon services, separate men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor relaxation areas and a 5,000-square-foot fitness center.

Designed by Todd Eckenrode, Origins Golf Design of Irvine, the 9-hole par 3-oceanfront course has stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island.

“This course is fun,” said Mike Hill, assistant golf professional at Terranea. “It’s a refreshing alternative that addresses the three areas that are vital to the growth of golf — time, affordability and enjoyment.”

The resort also has three heated pools with private cabanas and food service. The Resort pool is available for all guests and features a 140-foot waterslide, children’s splash zone, two hot tubs and fire pit. The Cielo Point pool offers more ocean views for guests 18 years of age and older and the spa pool offers ocean views and is available before and after spa services.

Add to these amenities a children’s center with interactive programs, Discovery Trail (a bluff-top trail that connects miles of coastal trails), secluded beach cove, business center, full concierge staff and a separate group check-in desk.

Yes, it’s pricey but you get your money’s worth. If you are looking for a place to hide from stress for a weekend, Terranea Resort is only about an hour from most points in the San Gabriel Valley.

If you go

Terranea Resort is at 100 Terranea Way Drive. Phone: (310) 265-2800. Web Site: www.terranea.com.

Top 10 Tips to save money

Here, from people who travel for a living, are 10 practical ways to save money on vacation travel, with selected comments from Society of American Travel Writers members:

1. Travel in the off-season or on the edges of popular seasons.

• “Traveling in the off-season saves big bucks on hotels and transportation, but there are other pluses too, such as fewer crowds and hence shorter lines at museums, churches, restaurants and so on.” Susan Farlow, freelance travel writer
• “Traveling off-season means cab drivers, hoteliers, merchants and locals are more accommodating and welcoming; you’ll have a better experience at a lower cost,” Judy Wells, freelance travel writer, TravelontheLevel.com

2. Get to know local bus/metro transportation for city stays. Ask about multi-day specials and special one-day tourist cards. Some international rail and travel cards must be purchased before you arrive in that country. Look at transportation Web sites for the cities and countries you will visit. For instance, the Visitor Oyster Card, good on all public transport in London, must be purchased before you arrive in London.

• “Public transport allows you to get to know the flavors and nuances of the people in a foreign country, and you have the serendipity of encountering kind gestures and helpful questions,” Roger Toll, freelance travel writer
• Using public transportation is not only less expensive than car rentals or cabs, but can also be ‘green,’ helping a community keep open streets and clean air,” Martin Hintz, freelance travel writer

3. Picnic instead of eating every meal in restaurants. Visit markets, bakeries, local shops and delis … but avoid uncooked street food and wash fruit with bottled water.

• “Shopping at local markets is not only a less expensive way to eat, it can be healthier (who needs all those sauces?) . You get a local’s view of the area and you can try lots of interesting foods and then eat them in parks and gardens.” Christine Loomis, freelance travel writer/editor
• “My husband and I often picnic in our room. A good bottle of local wine from a liquor store costs a fraction of those on restaurant menus. And take out food from local gourmet shops and markets not only give us quality equal to a fancy restaurant, but it is what the locals eat and take home. And we never buy water in a hotel, which is usually over-priced,” Mary Ann Treger, freelance writer
• “What’s better and cheaper than a baquette in Paris for breakfast, lunch and dinner,” Stan Wawer, travel editor

4. Eat your big meal at lunch when prices are cheaper and go light on dinner.

• “Luncheon prices at restaurants are amazingly low compared to dinner prices. You don’t have to make reservations usually, and the food tastes the same, only with reduced prices, you can afford more courses,” Lorraine O’Donnell Williams, travel writer
• “Lunch at the Tour d’Argent in Paris, a wonderful restaurant, is half the dinner price. Same ambience, same service, same duck.” Alan Solomon, freelance travel writer

5. Use public transportation between airports and cities. Don’t rent cars in a city and pay for parking. If traveling to the countryside afterwards, pick up your car at the end of your city stay.

• “Public transportation to and from the airport is the way to go. Even if you’re renting a car, you can do so in the city and save on airport facility charges,” Al Bonowitz, editor, Hawaii Westways Magazine
• "Stay in a big city's suburbs and use public transportation to save money. You can catch the efficient Metro subway just outside Washington's Reagan National Airport and ride it to the nearby suburbs for accommodations, then take it downtown to enjoy the museums or the National Zoo.'' Robert Jenkins, former travel editor and freelance travel writer

6. Make your first stop the local visitors center and collect coupons, brochures, free maps, etc. Ask the staff about insider tips – free days at museums, matinees, free parking, and money saving programs like City Pass, www.citypass.com

Also, be sure to visit the Web sites of convention bureaus and state tourism offices before your visit. They often offer special rates, coupons and discount information.

• “To my delight, an early stop at the Visitor Center in London coincided with their free continental breakfast AND they had great deals on half-price and last-minute theatre tickets,” Christine Potter, travel journalist

7. Stay in accommodations that offer free breakfast and that have a refrigerator so you can store snacks.

• “If you really load up at breakfast, you can skip lunch altogether, perhaps getting by with a snack if necessary.” Robert Haru Fisher, columnist and contributing editor, frommers.com

8. Go to less well-known destinations.

• “Across the world, less well-known destinations – i.e. getting off the beaten track – is cheaper as well as more fun,” Chris Tree, freelance writer

9. Do a home swap or rent a vacation home rental rather than a hotel.

• “Renting a real home in a small town, or better, village, gives you a chance to feel that you live in the place – you meet more people, find out more about they live and more about their culture,” Catherine Watson, freelance writer/photographer

10. In cities, stay at business hotels on the weekends where there are often better room rates and restaurant deals. Shop for hotels near, not on, the biggest street. When booking your room, ask, “Is this the best rate available? Do you have any specials at the moment?” Also ask if they offer discounts for AAA, AARP or other membership programs.

• “You’ll pay much more for that hotel on the city’s main street. Wander a few blocks in any direction and you’ll have the same neighborhood without the premium price,” Margie Goldsmith, freelance writer

The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) is a non-profit professional association that works to promote responsible travel journalism and to provide professional support for its members, including travel journalists, photographers, editors, electronic media, film lecturers, television and film producers and public relations representatives from the travel industry.

For more information on the Society of American Travel Writers, visitwww.satw.org

Mexico City promotes gay-friendly image

Now that the local legislative assembly has voted to permit persons of the same sex to marry, Mexico City plans to promote itself as gay friendly.

Being the only jurisdiction in the country that has legalized homosexual matrimony, it hopes to cash in on a new segment of the wedding business.

Alejandro Rojas, director of the city tourism office, pointed out that homosexuals account for 15 percent of the international travel market, but spend much more than typical tourists do.

Overall goal, said Rojas, is to attract 15 million tourists of all sexual preferences to the capital this year, two million more than in 2009. Most of these visitors, of course, will be from other parts of Mexico, but more efforts will be made to attract international travelers as well.

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Jimm Budd

Reporting From Mexico City

Member of the Society of American Travel Writers

Wimco Villas

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For additional information on Wimco Villas, visit www.wimco.com or call (866) 683-6135. For a look at some outstanding 2009 villas, go to http://www.wimco.com/newsletter/20091216m.asp.